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Ramallah celebrates ahead of UN vote

TONY EASTLEY: This morning the Palestinian authority is expected to gain recognition as a state from the United Nations.

The Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly and the vote grants the Palestinians non-member observer status.

While Israel says the move is a backward step for the peace process, it may go some way to mending the rift between two bitter Palestinian rivals, Mr Abbas' Fatah and Hamas.

Norman Hermant reports from Ramallah on the West Bank where celebrations started long before the vote.

(Sound of singing and celebrations)

NORMAN HERMANT: In Ramallah across the West Bank in Gaza there is plenty of awareness amongst Palestinians that the vote at the United Nations does not mean independence.

Still, they are celebrating not so much gaining non-member observer status but its symbolism.

Khalida Jarrar is with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

KHALIDA JARRAR: As a Palestinian who are under occupation, we are seeking that it will be the first step to have our self determination as a Palestinian people.

NORMAN HERMANT: Taking the push for recognition to the UN is a gamble for Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas. Under the long stalled peace process, he's only supposed to be negotiating with Israel.

There are reports he spurned last minute offers from Washington to jump-start talks.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton:

HILLARY CLINTON: The path to a two-state solution that fulfils the aspirations of the Palestinian people is through Jerusalem and Ramallah, not New York.

NORMAN HERMANT: After working for months to stop this vote Israel is now considering its options.

It has talked of possibly withholding tax revenues from the Palestinian Authority. But there's also word prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold off as long as the Palestinians don't use their new recognition to press cases against Israel in bodies like the International Criminal Court.

(Sound of Benjamin Netanyahu speaking)

"The decision at the United Nations will change nothing on the ground," says Mr Netanyahu. "It will not advance the establishment of a Palestinian state. It will delay it further."

But there may another headache for Israel in the aftermath of this vote. Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement has gained support for this bid from its former bitter rivals, Hamas.

Could this UN recognition signal real reconciliation?

Hamas member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Ahmad Attoun says yes.

(Sound of Ahmad Attoun speaking)

"We go there united to talk to the world," he says. "Our battle is not an internal battle. Our battle is with the occupation and ending the existence of the occupation."

Here they believe UN recognition even as a non-member observer state brings the end of the occupation closer.

From the Archives

Around 500 Indigenous people fought in the First World War, and as many as 5,000 in the second. But many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diggers who made it home received little or no recognition for their contribution. On Anzac Day, 2007, the first parade to commemorate their efforts and bravery was held in Sydney. Listen to our report from that day by Lindy Kerin.